January 8 Pastor’s Post
Sullivan UMC—J. Michael Smith
Today is National Bubble Bath Day
Okay, I realize nobody wants to hear their wrinkled old pastor ruminate about bubble baths. B-0-R-I-N-G. Plus—ew!
Don’t worry, I don’t know much about bubble-baths. It’s been years since I’ve been in one. I seem to get by with a shower every other week or so—and nobody complains much. My daughters used to like bubble baths when they were little—but I’ve long been out of the loop when it comes to anyone else’s hygiene.
I did once have a church where bubble baths became an issue. An elderly couple in my church, who met and married in their 70’s, had an incident. They were both on the obese side, and they both were quite hobbled. A couple weeks after their wedding they decided to have a romantic night at home—and use their gigantic two person bathtub for the first time. There is a name for a tub like that, but I can’t recall it.
Anyway, the wife started the water and went into the bedroom to get herself “ready.” Whatever that means. She yelled at the husband to put the bubbles in. (They told this story at all the church events afterward—so I’m not breaking any confidences.)
Apparently the guy was like me and took showers instead of baths. But even I would know not to pour the whole bottle in.
Anyway, long story short, it took the Mrs. a long time to get “ready,” and by the time she got to the bathroom, there was her hubby, stark naked, rear end in the air, trying to scoop all the bubbles off the bathroom floor.
So—happy Bubble Bath day. Do whatever you want about it. Just don’t make me listen to your details about it. And please, church, do not post your photos of it on Facebook—or I will have to change my sermon topic this coming Sunday.
Around the church
- I’m finishing up my first week of meeting people and swapping stories. It has been a delightful experience. I’ll be continuing this activity for quite some time until we’ve all had a chance to get together.
- Today included working on Sunday’s sermon, having coffee with my daughter, preparing the Sunday bulletins, and several conversations and text messages with Esther in the church office and my music people—Jeff and Bonnie. Tonight is a district meeting.
- Tomorrow I will be working from home. You can reach me on my cell 217-898-3148 or by email jms754@gmail.com
- Next week I will start working on policy updates: building use, staff and personnel, finances, safety, etc. I’ll begin by showing my drafts to one or two people who are in the middle of those areas, then coming up with a proposal to let the whole congregation see—then taking them to the Church Council for approval. The process will be transparent. We all know that we cannot please all the people all the time. But we are a church full of grace, and everyone will have a chance to be heard and taken seriously. I always believe that open conversation helps us create the best product in the long run.
Repertoire 